Commodore PC - Page 175

n
n
You can use any of the redirection symbols (< > << >>)in
a batch file. See Chapter 2, "About Commands," for more infor
mation on using these symbols.
You cannot use the pipe symbol (I) in a batch file.
Setting the directory or drive affects every subsequent com
mand in the batch file.
Setting environment strings also affects every subsequent com
mand in the batch file.
Batch Processing 103
n
Note If you have more than one external command with the
same name, ms-dos will run only one of them, according to the fol
lowing order of precedence: .com, .exe, .bat.
Suppose, for example, that your disk includes the files format, exe
and format, bat. If you were to type the external command
format, ms-dos would always run the program format, exe first.
In order to run the batch file format, bat, you would have to place
it in a separate directory and give a path along with the external
command.
What is an Autoexec.bat File?
An autoexec, bat file lets you run programs automatically when
you start ms-dos. This can be useful when you want to run a
specific application under ms-dos, and when you want ms-dos to
execute a batch program each time you start your computer. By
using an autoexec, bat file you can avoid loading two separate
disks just to perform these tasks.
When you start your computer, ms-dos searches the root directory
of the default disk drive for a file named autoexec, bat. If it finds
the autoexec, bat file, ms-dos immediately processes it, bypassing
the date and time prompts. If ms-dos does not find an autoexec, bat
file, then the date and time prompts appear automatically.
The autoexec.bat file
Hint ms-dos does not prompt you for a current date and time
unless you include the date and time commands in your
autoexec, bat file.
It's a good idea to add these two commands to your autoexec, bat
file, since ms-dos uses this information to keep your directory
current. See Chapter 3, "ms-dos Commands," for more information
on the date and time commands.